The levator ani group comprises which major components?

The levator ani group comprises which major components?

• A. Pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus
• B. Puborectalis and coccygeus
• C. Iliacus and psoas
• D. Coccygeus and piriformis

Answer: (A)

The levator ani forms the main muscular floor of the pelvis, supporting the pelvic organs and helping maintain continence by lifting the pelvic floor and resisting increases in intra-abdominal pressure. Its major components are two thick muscles: pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. The pubococcygeus runs from the pubic region to the coccyx (and to the anococcygeal body), while the iliococcygeus extends from the tendinous arch of the obturator internus to the coccyx and anococcygeal body. The puborectalis part of the complex loops around the anorectal junction to form the anorectal angle, and coccygeus is a separate pelvic-floor muscle that’s not counted among the two main levator ani components. The hip-fixer muscles (iliacus, psoas) and the piriformis are not part of the levator ani group.

The levator ani forms the main muscular floor of the pelvis, supporting the pelvic organs and helping maintain continence by lifting the pelvic floor and resisting increases in intra-abdominal pressure. Its major components are two thick muscles: pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. The pubococcygeus runs from the pubic region to the coccyx (and to the anococcygeal body), while the iliococcygeus extends from the tendinous arch of the obturator internus to the coccyx and anococcygeal body. The puborectalis part of the complex loops around the anorectal junction to form the anorectal angle, and coccygeus is a separate pelvic-floor muscle that’s not counted among the two main levator ani components. The hip-fixer muscles (iliacus, psoas) and the piriformis are not part of the levator ani group.